Overview
The PhD in Nursing is a research-based program designed to prepare scholars for a lifetime of systematic inquiry and knowledge development. The curriculum integrates a wide body of knowledge in the area of wellness promotion and health maintenance, and incorporates two main areas of research: health of the family and community and international health. Additional nursing education content incorporates educational theories into the larger context of health education and academic preparation.
Graduates of this program are nurse scholars, educators, and researchers who are prepared to pursue systematic research inquiry to improve the health of society and prepare the future generation of nurse clinicians and academicians.
The main outcome objectives of the program are to prepare graduates:
- In the development, testing, and utilization of theoretical knowledge that will advance nursing science and improve health outcomes.
- For a lifetime of systematic, intellectual, and scholarly inquiry relevant to the discipline of nursing and health care.
- For careers in the academy, government, and health care to further the growth of nursing knowledge and teach the next generation of nurse practitioners, researchers, and educators.
- To develop ethical, social, cultural, and health policy for the advancement of nursing education, research, and the health of those whom nursing serves.
Learn more about the program and our faculty.
School of Nursing Accreditation
Azusa Pacific University receives accreditation from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). In addition, the School of Nursing's programs earn accreditation from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and the California Board of Registered Nursing.
University Reputation
Azusa Pacific University held its place for the second year in the most prestigious category of the U.S.News & World Report’s America’s Best Colleges 2009, ranking in the third tier of the national category. Additionally, for the first time, APU ranked ninth among the best up-and-coming national universities. Previously, APU was ranked in the top 25 schools within the Western Universities-Master’s category, enjoying prominent placement and recognition for outstanding first-year and service-learning programs.
According to Diverse Issues in Higher Education magazine, APU ranked number 6 in the nation in awarding the most master’s degrees to Hispanics. In addition, The Princeton Review included APU as 1 of 120 colleges in the 2009 Best in the West category.
